Pie Chucker

Well another brief one! England dismissed SA f0r 306. At 218-7 SA at least made a game of it by setting England 197. A game I should define as about 3 hours of South Africans getting a good hiding.

Well, the game’s up so keep it brief. SA progressed to 110-2 with Alma playing some fluent strokes but the day was cut very short due to the weather. Broad removed McKenzie. Overall South Africa’s day, rather like yesterday.

KP may be magic.  He may wear a magic hat.  But even He can’t prevent an England batting collapse.  Resuming at 49-1 England made their way to 213-3, thanks largely to a century partnership between Super Skip and Paul no-future-in-Test-Cricket-until-last-week Collingwood.  Colly got 61 and KP 100 but at 263-8 it seemed as if the hard work had been squandered.  Harmison smacked 49 to drag the Hosts to 316.  James ‘Jimmy’ Anderson then removed Smith before the close.  SA are 37-1, still 87 runs behind.  England remain on top.  Pie Chucker congratulates Steve Harmison.

KP’s first day in charge. Having almost decided to pass the captaincy on before the game, after sharp criticism on PieChucker.com, it was certainly going to be interesting. The toss was lost and the great egoist Smith decided he would bat first. Personally. In Person. [Read more →]

Fielding at second slip for England is about to become an adventure again; Wide-merchant Steve Harmison has been recalled to the England side for the start of the KP era after missing the last seven(ish) Test Matches (we think it’s seven, but can’t be bothered to check.  This isn’t the BBC)  Stuart Broad is recalled having been rested at Edgbaston, presumably for his batting at number 8 - for this new look, up for it, agressive, lock up your daughters England will bat Colly, Fred and Ambrose at 5, 6 and 7; someone will have to come in and clear up the mess after that lot.  Welcome back Stuart.  You might even get a bowl. 

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KP is the new England captain. Or more actually the new England captains. I think KP is great, but this news is not. It may de indifferent as beyond Reg Price there is no natural leader. But KP?!?!?! AHhhhhhhHHHHhhhh.

Michael Vaughan has stepped down as England captain following the series defeat to South Africa and a poor run of form with the bat.  He said “It’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make but also the easiest. I have put my heart and soul into the job. I hope this decision will prolong my career. My body is working well but my mind is not working as well at the moment.”  Paul Collingwood has also stood down as ODI captain.

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During the fourth day of this Test Match the upper hand was passed back and forth.  Morkel removed Ambrose with his 2nd ball of the day putting South Africa in charge; a half century partnership between Collingwood and Sidebottom gave England real hope before the traditional English collapse.  The Tourists needed 281 to win.  [Read more →]

Today is my birthday. I awoke with England at 39-2 having polished off SA for 314, with Anderson and Sidebottom bowling well and completing the job. So a lead of 83. And a poor start from England. Again. On my birthday. [Read more →]

Get rid of the nightwatchman early & get into ‘em.  That was probably the plan.  South Africa started the day on 38-1, Harris at the crease and the ball just 12 overs old.  A mere 16 overs later and he was back in the hutch - 94-2, new ball now an elderly 28 overs.  “28 overs?  That’s 5.2 dog years,” Peter Moores was heard to mutter.  “What would Raymond Illingworth do?  What would Richard Illingworth do?” he asked no-one in particular before phoning his agent and calculating his payoff for being sacked should the ‘worst’ happen.  But until then; another series to lose.  “When are we due to play New Zealand again?”

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